Inflating device for life preservers



Jan. 20, 1976 F. R. SHERIDAN 3,490,649

INFLATING DEVICE FOR LIFE PRESERVERS Filed Jan. 1'7, 1968 ulhlh.

INVENTOR. FRANCIS R. SHERIDAN AT TY.

United States Patent 3,490,649 INFLATING DEVICE FOR LIFE PRESERVERS Francis R. Sheridan, P.0. Box 494, Spanaway, Wash. 98387 Filed Jan. 17, 1968, Ser. No. 698,538 Int. Cl. B67d 7/24; B63c 9/16 US. Cl. 222 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for inflating life preservers comprises a receptacle having a port communicating with the life preserver and an opening in one of its walls. A resilient, pressuresensitive diaphragm is sealed across the opening. A CO or other gas capsule is mounted on the receptacle with its neck communicating with the interior. A springpressed, capsule-penetrating pin is mounted within the receptacle for puncturing advancement into the capsule. A trigger moves between a pin-cocking position wherein it engages the pin in the tensioned condition of the spring and a pin-releasing position wherein it releases the pin for puncturing advancement of the capsule. The trigger is actuated by the diaphragm which stretches into pressure contact with the trigger and shifts it to its pin-releasing position when submerged in water to a predetermined depth.

This invention relates to a device for inflating aquatic life preservers and like articles.

Although many types of life preservers have been developed in the past, the need still exists for a gas-filled life preserver which will inflate reliably and automatically when submerged to a predetermined depth in water. The need for such a life preserver arises, for example, when the preserver is worn by a person jumping from the deck of a ship at a considerable altitude above the water, by a person tumbled into the water from a helicopter or other aircraft, and above all by a person who cannot swim or who is unconscious when he reaches the water, and accordingly sinks beneath the surface.

It is the general purpose of the present invention to provide an inflating device for life preservers which fills the foregoing need and which is characterized by the following advantages:

(1) It automatically inflates the preserver when the latter is immersed in water to a predetermined depth.

(2) It is adjustable to operate at various depths.

(3) It is reliable and fool-proof.

(4) It will not operate prematurely to inflate the jacket upon being jostled, struck, or subjected to shock.

(5) Its operation is not affected by the persence of moisture (6) It may be reused repeatedly.

(7) It is compact in structure and may be included in a life preserver kit without hindering the use of the preserver.

(8) It may be operated manually.

The manner in which the foregoing and other objects of this invention are accomplished will be apparent from the accompanying specification and claims considered together with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the inflating device of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detail sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1 and illustrating a puncturing pin employed in the operation of the inflating device;

FIG. 4 is a detail view looking in the direction of the arrows of line 44 of FIG. 2 and illustrating a closure means for the inflating device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a unique trigger employed in the operation of the inflating device; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a mounting for the trigger.

In its broad concept, the inflating device of my invention comprises a rigid, water-tight receptacle having a port communicating with a life preserver and an opening in one of its wall. A resilient, pressure-sensitive diaphragm is sealed across the opening. Capsule mounting means are provided for mounting a puncturable, compressed gas capsule on the receptacle in communicating relation to the inside thereof.

A spring-pressed, capsule-puncturing pin is mounted in operative relation to the capsule. A trigger is mounted adjacent the diaphragm for shifting the pin between a cocked position and a released position for spring-pressed, puncturing advancement into the capsule. Actuation of the trigger occurs upon submersion of the device into water to a depth predetermined to stretch the diaphragm into pressure contact with the trigger, thereby shifting the trigger to its pin-releasing position.

Considering the foregoing in greater detail and with particular reference to the drawings: As shown particularly in FIG. 1, the inflating device of my invention includes a receptacle 10 made of rigid structural material. The inner surface of the receptacle is provided with an annular, inwardly-projecting flange 12 located a spaced distance below the cap.

One end of the receptacle is threaded and mounts a threaded cap 14.

The other end of the receptacle is provided with a threaded socket 15 having an opening 16 communicating with the interior of the receptacle. The socket is dimensioned to receive in threaded engagement the neck of a compressed gas capsule 18 with puncturable cap 20 located directly opposite opening 16 and with seal ring 22 interposed to make a water-tight seal.

Receptacle 10 further is provided with an externally threaded port 24 to which is threaded a coupling 26 by means of which the receptacle may be coupled to a conduit 28 communicating with the inflatable life preserver or other device which it is desired to inflate.

Means are provided for securing the receptacle to the life preserver, while at the same time preventing inadvertent unscrewing of cap 14. The means employed for this purpose is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4.

The lower margin of cap 14 is formed with a plurality of spaced notches 30. A strap 32 overlies the joint between the cap and the receptacle. Its ends are secured to a belt or second strap 34 which may be a component of the life preserver. A screw 36 or other fastener penetrates strap 32 and the body of receptacle 10, being received in one of notches 30 in the cap. The cap thus is prevented from unscrewing and also is maintained in sealed relation to the receptacle body.

Receptacle body 10 further is provided with an opening 40 through one of its walls. A resilient diaphragm 42 is sealed across this opening.

Diaphragm 42 is a key component of the assembly. It may be fabricated of natural or synthetic rubber, plastic,

r other material capable of resilient deformation when Jbjected to hydrostatic pressure. It is held in place across 1e opening by being glued to the opening margins, or y other suitable means.

To insure that diaphragm 42 is not stretched inadvertntly, prematurely setting off the device, there is provided shield 44, the longitudinal margins of which are received 1 a pair of spaced slides 46 mounted on the exterior suraee of the receptacle. It is to be noted that shield 44 is paced laterally outwardly from the side walls of receptacle so that water can penetrate behind the shield as reuired to exert hydrostatic pressure against diaphragm 42.

Shield 44 serves the secondary but important function 1 providing a manual trip for the device.

To this end there is provided on the inside surface of 1e shield a cam 50 which projects a substantial distance 1to opening 40, past the plane of the inner side wall of eceptacle 10. A lanyard or pull 52 is connected to an eye 4 on the exterior surface of the shield. Normally the hield is held in position by the resilient pressure exerted y diaphragm 42 on cam 50. However, when it is desired actuate the device manually, pulling on lanyard 52 ill move the shield in slides 46, thereby bringing the am into engagement with the tripping mechanism.

The capsule-puncturing element comprises a pin 60 aving on one of its ends a spur 62 and a transverse roove 64. Pin 60 has on the other of its ends a recess 6 which, serves as a latch or trip opening.

Pin mounting means are provided for mounting the pin 1 operative position, with spur 62 aimed directly at the uncturable cap of capsule 18.

The pin mounting means employed for this purpose omprises a block 70 made of plastic or metal and having ubstantial thickness. The block in plan has the general onfiguration of a truncated circle, FIG. 6. It is provided Ilth a T-shaped extension 72. Its central portion is proided with a transverse opening 74 dimensioned to reeive pin 60 in sliding engagement. A boss 76 having an nnular groove 78 surrounds the inner margin of open- 1g 74.

Block 70 is maintained demountably in position by 162118 of a plurality of bearing posts 79 which may be ormed as integral upward extensions of block 70. The .imensions of the posts are such that when the cap is breaded on the receptacle body, its undersurface will ngage the posts, seating block 70 securely against annuar flange 12.

To provide the driving force required for puncturing he capsule, a stout coil spring 80 is mounted on pin 60. )ne end of the spring is seated in groove 64 in the spur and of the pin. The other end is seated in groove 78 of )OSS 76.

This disposition of the spring is of considerable imrortance in the operation of the pin. During the puncturng operation, the spring is overextended by the momenum of the pin. However, since the spring is anchored at )Oth ends, it returns to its normal rest position, retracting pur 62 from the puncture opening and permitting free :scape of the gas.

Operation of pin 60 in the indicated manner is effectutted through the agency of a unique trigger indicated gen- :rally at 82 and having a structure and manner of operaion illustrated particularly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5.

As shown in those figures, trigger 82 is generally Z- :haped in outline. Its central segment is provided with one )r more longitudinally spaced, transverse openings 86, by means of which it is mounted on T-shaped extension 72 )f block 70.

Lower end segment 88 of the trigger is positioned and thaped for engagement by resilient diaphragm 42 as well Is by cam 50.

Its upper segment 90 terminates in a finger dimeniioned for reception in recess 66 in the upper end of pin it), Its under face is provided with a deteut 92 adapted to be received in a conforming recess 94 in the upper surface of block 70.

In the operation of the device, the parts are assembled in the relationship shown in FIG. 1. Pin 60 assumes its cocked position. Spring is maintained in its compressed condition by the latching end of trigger 82, which lies in recess '66 of the pin. The lower segment 88- of trigger 86 lies closely adjacent resilient membrane 42.

The elements of the assembly are prevented from premature release by shield 44 which protects membrane 42 from inadvertent stretching. However, when the device is immersed to a predetermined depth in water, water passes through opening 48 between the shield and the receptacle body and exerts against diaphragm 42 a hydrostatic pressure which is commensurate with the depth.

The membrane thereupon is distended to its dotted line position in which it engages segment 88 of the trigger, moving the trigger to its dotted line position and tripping pin 60. Spring 80 thereupon drives the pin through the top 20 of gas capsule 18. As it does so, it is somewhat extended beyond its normal limit by the momentum of the pin. Since the spring is anchored on both ends, it acts promptly, withdrawing spur -62 from the newly created puncture, permitting the gas to escape freely into receptacle 10 and out through conduit 28 to the device to be inflated.

The same result may be obtained manually by pulling on lanyard 52. This moves shield 44 in guides 46 in such a manner that cam 50 on the inner face of the shield contacts the lower segment 88 of the trigger, tripping it and initiating the puncturing sequence.

Various adjustments may be made to adapt the operation of the device to particular purposes. The range of pin 60 may be varied by varying the tension of spring 80, by varying the position of notch 66 or placing the opening 86 in trigger 84 in a difierent location. Furthermore, the depth at which the device is triggered may be varied by providing diaphragm 42 of predetermined resiliency, or by providing openings 40 of various diameters.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herein shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An inflating device for inflatable life preservers comprising:

(a) a rigid, water-tight receptacle having a port communicating with the life preserver and an opening in one of its walls,

(b) a resilient, pressure-sensitive diaphragm sealed across the opening,

(c) capsule mounting means for mounting on the receptacle a puncturable compressed gas capsule in communicating relation to the inside of the receptacle,

(d) a spring-pressed capsule-puncturing pin,

(e) pin mounting means mounting the pin in operative puncturing relation to the capsule,

(f) a trigger,

(g) trigger mounting means mounting the trigger ad jacent the diaphragm for shifting the trigger between a pin-cocking position wherein it engages the pin in the tensioned condition of the spring, and a pin-releasing position wherein it releases the pin for springpressed puncturing advancement into the capsule,

(h) the diaphragm, upon submersion in water to a predetermined depth, stretching into pressure contact with the trigger and shifting it to its pin-releasing position,

(i) shield means mounted across the opening in spaced relation thereto for shielding the diaphragm from premature stretching,

(1) i e means fixed to the o tside of the receptacle 5 6 and mounting the shield means for sliding move- FOREIGN PATENTS Inent across the opening, and 284,379 4/1931 Italy.

(k) a cam on the interior face of the shield positioned adjacent the trigger in its pin-cocking position for ROBERT REEVES, Primary Examiner t tth 'th. con ac crew 5 N. L. STACK, 1a., Assistant Examiner References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,057,524 10/1962 lShanks 222 561X 3,090,979 5/1963 Segrest 222-5X 10 3,147,885 9/1964 Sheridan 222-5 3,180,524 4/1965 Shepard et a1 2225 

